The train is definitely the best way to arrive in this beautiful city - an experience enhanced if you're sipping some of the best wine ever made – Chateauneuf-du-Pape, which is a mere 10km from Avignon itself and should definitely be on your 'must-see' list.

In the meantime, there’s a fantastic restaurant at the hotel La Mirande in Avignon that serves the most delicious Foie gras imaginable. Mmmmm. I’m getting goose pimples just thinking about it. Or should that be duck pimples?!

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Villeneuve lez Avignon really should be visited by anyone intending to spend more than a day in Avignon. Some 10 minutes' drive to the other side of the Rhone is this superbly preserved late medieval village with great views across to the Palais des Papes.

Apart from the Chartreuse, fort, abbey gardens and village square, there's a great restaurant in a hotel next to the church. Very good food in menus costing around 70€.The sommelier is happy to recommend wines at anything from 20€ up.

Le Prieuré, 7 pl du Chapitre, Villeneuve des Avignon. 04 90 15 90 15

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The theatre festival held in July cannot be surpassed for thespian entertainment in the most beautiful settings.

Watch a play on a balmy provincial afternoon, followed by food and wine which elsewhere pales in comparison.

The charm of Avignon is in the atmosphere and no words can do it justice - you must feel it for yourself.

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You must try the athmospheric and much loved La Banasterie Guesthouse.

It is located slap bang in the centre of the maze like citadel, but on a quiet side street and with excellent restaurants within a one-minute walk.

Jean-Michel and Francoise make the ancient house terribly atmospheric with fairy lights and by lighting the stairs and halls by candlelight at night.

If you would like a home from home, with an authentic french atmosphere, I couldn’t recommend this place more highly!

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Find theatrical presentations for everyone, which inspire and excite at Les Ateliers d'Amphoux - but make the visit sensational by experiencing the speciality of the city, 'Papalines'.

This delicacy is made of fine chocolate, sugar and oregano liqueur. And of course, this is the best place to drink Cotes du Rhône wine.

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Only a few miles north of Avignon is the village where the popes used to retire during the summer; a beautiful medieval little town, it is well known for the superb red wine that is produced in the vineyards that surround it and that can be bought locally. All the bottles, of a greenish colour, have the coat of arms of the popes bearing The Keys of San Peter and the pope's hat engraved in the glass.

Chateauneuf du Pape

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Tour the city for 2 days then hire a car and visit the Cotes du Rhon vineyards, the Vaucluse area, and the village of Bedoin on Mondays for a market to adore.

Cotes du Rhon, Vaucluse and Bedoin

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Hire bicycles in Avignon, buy a baguette, a camembert and some tomatoes, and cycle off to the vineyards of Chateau Neuf-du-Papes. Vignerons are happy for you to taste their amazing wines and are all within a five-minute, increasingly-wobbly ride of each other. I drove back in the car the next day to buy a case of my favourite, at half the UK price.

Neuf-du-Papes

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Having been to many Michelin restaurants, I've never met an English-speaking sommalier so passionate or with such incredible depth of knowledge.

Further, she was delighted to recommend superb wines for €25/bottle.

Food was also first class.

Book in advance.

Near Rasteau
www.legrandpre.com

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My girlfriend and I just came from a wonderful trip to the south of France. Our recommendation: get away from the coast and drive from Cannes to Avignon.

You will encounter the Gorges du Verdon and end up in a little village of Moustiers Sainte Marie. Try the Restaurant Les Santons. It has the most wonderful food, a chef who cares about what he cooks and is very romantic. It is much better than Alain Ducasse's La Bastide.

Take a day trip to Gigondas from Avignon. Everyone raves about Chateauneuf du Pape. This is much better. They have a tasting room in the village. Try their wines from 1999 to 2003 for the best. You will not resist taking a few bottles back.

www.gourmetvoyageurs.com/country-pages/pages-france/provence/santons.html
Map: tinyurl.com/3ckv2m

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